DNC chair Tim Kaine rallies Bennet, Romanoff at Dem unity showcase

Colorado Democrats tried to sound all the right notes and touch all the bases of party unity at a State Capitol steps rally today, drawing on a high-profile marriage counselor in the form of DNC chairman Tim Kaine.

Formerly bare-knuckled Senate brawlers Michael Bennet and Andrew Romanoff opened their fists and shook hands heartily in front of 500 or so Democratic supporters. Party elders — in experience if not in age — like Sen. Mark Udall, Congressman Ed Perlmutter and state chair Pat Waak stood by to make sure everyone played nice.

And they did, at least in public, with Romanoff cracking a few of his jokes and Sen. Bennet turning the party guns in the direction of Republican challenger Ken Buck. “I accept the party’s nomination,” Romanoff began with a grin, before putting away his papers and saying, “Wrong speech.”

Romanoff urged his supporters, many of whom were in the crowd having adopted Bennet’s blue stickers, to use “every bit of talent and treasure you put into our campaign” on behalf of Bennet.

“I know the life he and Susan (Daggett) hope for their children is what we all hope for our children,” Romanoff said. The Democratic Party and its nominations, Romanoff said, “are just a means to an end,” and he and Bennet share the same end goals of improving education, providing jobs to Americans and reforming how Washington works.

“It’s an easy call for me, and should be an easy call for you, too,” Romanoff said.

Bennet then praised Romanoff for his long hard work on Colorado causes. He said he and Romanoff have always agreed on better education for all, health care reform and promoting renewable energy sources. “We both believe our kids are our future,” Bennet said.

Bennet even praised Romanoff for the issue that clearly irritated him and his followers more than any other in the campaign, Romanoff’s relentless attacks on Bennet’s large PAC donations. “I applaud Andrew for his conviction” on campaign finance reform, Bennet said. The senator said he hoped Romanoff would continue working on it and that Congress should pass the reform proposals now on the table.

Asked if Democrats are showing weakness by admitting they need a unity rally after a tough Senate primary season, Kaine said it’s the Republicans who should be embarrassed. There’s no unity in sight among Colorado Republicans after bruising intra-party battles between Buck and Jane Norton, and gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes and his opponents.

“It’s not that they don’t need” a unity rally, Kaine said. “They can’t have one. They’re turning on each other right now.”

Kaine said Bennet has “a superb chance” of reaching out to the key constituency in Colorado, the one-third of the electorate that is unaffiliated and wants to see results rather than partisanship.

Colorado GOP chairman Dick Wadhams responded with a nod toward high Republican turnout in Tuesday’s voting. “There is a clear reason why 68,000 more Republicans voted in Tuesday’s primary than Democrats,” said Wadhams said. “Colorado voters see the consequences of the failed Obama-Bennet-Ritter-Hickenlooper agenda.”

Tim Kaine has no idea what he's talking about. Rasmussen found today that while 88% of Republicans are already behind Ken Buck, only 79% of Democrats are behind Bennet. It's awfully early to start the lies.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.